.303 Lock time
Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Enfield Gunsmithing
Forum Description: Submit any how-to's or other gunsmithing suggestions here.
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13547
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 3:48pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: .303 Lock time
Posted By: Everett Stiles
Subject: .303 Lock time
Date Posted: September 15 2024 at 12:25pm
|
This .303, (the first for this writer) presumably from the Boer War, came to our farm in South Africa from an old neighbor nearby. It is quite accurate and in good original condition, save a varnish-like finish someone applied. Issue: The lock time is about equal to that of a flintlock. Have soaked the bolt in solvent, cleaned and lubed with proper firearm light lubricant. What am I missing. (didn't see a button with which to post a photo). Appreciate any guidance offered. Everett Stiles Limpopo Province and Macon County, NC
|
Replies:
Posted By: terrylee
Date Posted: September 16 2024 at 1:12am
|
Greetings from Gauteng. This is probably the most user-friendly website that I've ever experienced. Start off here by clicking on "Post Reply" Then on the 7th icon of the tree Then "Brouse". Look for your photo, click on it followed by "Open". Then just follow by clicking on the necessary icons. For your information I attach photos of the Boer War Long Lees You should be able to match with yours:  Lee Metfords: Mks I*, II, II* and CC.  Lee Enfields: Mks I & I*. CC Mks I & I* |
Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: September 16 2024 at 3:28am
|
Welcome from Atlanta, Georgia. Possibly a weak or broken main spring. Have you disassembled the bolt? You will need the proper bolt disassembly tool to unscrew the striker from the cocking piece after first removing the locking screw from the back of the cocking piece. Remove the bolt head to access the two slots in the shoulder of the striker. |
Posted By: Zed
Date Posted: September 16 2024 at 4:24am
|
Welcome to the forum. What age is the ammunition? Do you know who made it? Or did you buy new factory made rounds , PPU or Seller Bellot etc? ------------- It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice! |
Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: September 16 2024 at 4:35am
|
I didn’t think of that. Lock time is simply how long it takes for the striker to contact the cartridge primer once it is released by the trigger.
If the delay in igniting the primer is a result of a deteriorated primer charge, that is an entirely different thing. Old military surplus cartridges are prone to this, resulting in a hang fire or a significant delay in primer ignition once hit by the striker. In that case, the solution is to go get some modern commercial ammunition. |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: September 16 2024 at 11:25am
|
Bad condition primers are known as "click-BANG" for obvious reasons. Listen carefully (possibly without hearing defenders if needed for just on or two shots in a very open area.) You should actually hear the "click" followed by a pause, then the "BANG" if that's your problem. A correctly functioning primer is instant so the two are indistinguishable from each other! If that's your issue you may find that warming in direct sunlight will help to reduce the delay & make the ammo usable for practice at least. ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: September 16 2024 at 11:34am
|
I had some Kynoch .577-.450 Martini Henry that did this. The Berdan primers had about a 2 to 3 second delay in igniting the charge. I pulled the bullets, removed the cordite and snapped the primers in the rifle. They did a slow fizzle, sounded like fuse on a firecracker. |
Posted By: paddyofurniture
Date Posted: September 16 2024 at 11:52am
|
I had some made in India ammo that was not longer shoot able, bad primers. Made lots of firecrackers out of the powder. The firecrackers all went bang. ------------- Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts. |
Posted By: Everett Stiles
Date Posted: September 17 2024 at 6:07am
|
Posted By: Everett Stiles
Date Posted: September 17 2024 at 6:09am
|
Appears this is not a Boer War piece. Shows how much I know! ------------- ES |
Posted By: Sapper740
Date Posted: September 17 2024 at 8:12am
Check your primer strikes. I bought a butt load of surplus 7.65 X 53 ammunition for my M1891 Argentine Mauser with date stamps from 1910 to the 1930's most of which were hangfires or outright duds. By checking the primer strike I was able to rule out light strikes as a cause of the problem. |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: September 17 2024 at 10:09am
|
If you look on the wrist metal Tthe butt socket) there should be a date & a crown stamped there. that should give you the manufacture date, the place made & the exact model you have.  ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: September 17 2024 at 11:46am
The charger loading LE and SMLE were introduced after the Boer War Can you describe for us what the symptoms are of the "slow lock time" you experience? |
Everett Stiles wrote: